He was born Feb. 5, 1987, in Portsmouth, a son of Jeffrey and Donna (Carpenter) McDermot of Hampton.

Ryan was raised in Hampton, where he graduated from Winnacunnet High School with the Class of 2005.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2010, where he proudly served honorably for the next three and half years in Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, Fort Hood. During this time, he bravely served one tour in Afghanistan.

Ryan was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan who enjoyed snowboarding and the outdoors. He was also an accomplished scuba diver, and was very proud to serve our country in the Army. Most of all, Ryan loved spending time with his family and friends. He had an uncanny way with words and one-liners that would leave people in tears from laughing.

Ryan's passion for life and to be the best solider he could be was what he strived for.

In addition to his parents, surviving family members include his sister, Lisa MacDonald and her husband, Michael, of Hampton; grandparents Caryl E. Taylor of Campton and James W. McDermot of North Carolina; niece Evangelina MacDonald of Hampton; close friend Alexis Cross and their dog, Gino; along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Ryan J. McDermot Memorial Fund (No. 9726395349), TD Bank, 40 High St., Hampton, NH 03842. Visit www.remickgendron.com to view Ryan's memorial Web site, sign the tribute wall, or for directions.